WIBU to ask the window man to fit my towelrail?

[CreamolaFoamless]

Man came yesterday to fit new window handle as old one had fallen off,

This was under guarantee so no payment involved.

there was faffing due to not having the 'right' handle so he was here for around 30 mins.

I made him tea and we were having a good blether.

He had to use his drill, so before he left, I asked him if he would be able to fit my towel rail to the bathroom wall (has been sitting in a box since I bought it)

He said 'sure, no problem' ...this took him about 2/3 mins to attach.

when I mentioned this to a friend they thought it was completely unreasonable to ask.

Was it?

Depends on the man/ banter/ situation and people involved.

In this case I think it was fine!

Did you pay him?

Probably should have offered him a little extra money.

YANBU. If I have a small job that I cannot do myself, I ask anyone visiting in whatever capacity if he/she can help. I had window cleaners in November and one of them obligingly cleared the gutter that he could see below him. I didn't ask him to do so. If they do you a favour, they hope you will ask them back for further paid jobs.

YANBU but I hope you made a lot of tea.

Sounds fine - if he didn't want to, he would've said no.

I had our sash windows renovated recently and the bloke was lovely - didn't charge for replacing a new glass unit (I supplied) and I also emailed him about 2 weeks later asking for advice about a cat flap in another (non-sash) window, which he was very quick to give despite it being nothing he was involved in.

Maybe window people are just nice

I think if you supply tea and a chat then most people would be fine with this.

Not unreasonable at all to ask, I always used to get visiting tradesmen to do extras when I was a single Mum and needed a man with tools.

I would always give them a fiver or a tenner for it depending on how long it took them though. Usually they turned it down anyway, I think many of them get a cheap thrill out of doing something manly for a damsel in distress.

YANBU. I don't even think a tip was in order. A thank you is often enough.

Unless you want to give a tip, in which case a tip is also fine.

I think that's ok tbh. My husband fits blinds as a 2nd job and gets asked to do all kinds of things. He's unblocked numerous drains, fitted doorbells, filled oil/screen wash etc in cars. One elderly lady even asked him to paint round a window before he fitted the blinds! He did it as well but probably cause she was an elderly widow and she just reminded him of his late gran. Hmm now thinking he may be wasted on fitting blinds and should just become a handy man lol. He usually gets a bottle of whisky or box of chocs as a thank you and always always always gets the repeat business. A lot of his clients send the kids easter eggs and selection boxes too. We do live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else though

The thing is,what would have happened if he had damaged your wall? or broke the tail rail? MY DH is a upvc fitter doesnt mean he's any good at putting up tail rails though.

yeah I did offer him a fiver but he didn't want it.

You're right Kirsty maybe window people are all nice!